Iris Johansen - Always

He went still. There was an expression on his face so beautiful that she wanted to remember it forever.

"She may be wrong," Lisa whispered. "How could she know?"

He crossed the few paces between them, then reached out and lifted her chin so that he could look into her eyes. His own still held such wonder that she felt her throat tighten with emotion. Then he kissed her with exquisite gentleness. "Well, we certainly won't stop trying. It's far too enjoyable an exercise." He laughed huskily. "I think, if anything, we should redouble our efforts. As you said, how could she know?"

He kissed her again and turned her toward the small room where they had dined last night. "Breakfast," he said firmly. "And it wouldn't hurt you to try to eat a little more. Just in case she's right."

"That's what Marna told me," Lisa said with a sigh. "I'm glad Galbraith's not here. At least I only have the two of you to contend with."

"You'll find that quite enough, acushla."

Lisa nodded gloomily as she allowed him to propel her toward the dining room. She had an idea that withstanding the machinations of a protective gypsy witch and a possessive Clancy Donahue would be more than enough of a challenge for any woman.

"Milk again." Lisa glared balefully at the frosty glass on the tray Marna was carrying. "I told Lia I didn't want it."

"That is why I brought it back, instead of sending her," Marna said calmly. "It wasn't fair to send the girl all the way back up here to the battlements when you're being so unreasonable. You know you must have it." She held out the wide-brimmed straw hat she had in her other hand. "This, also. The sunlight and fresh air are good for you, but you must have protection."

Lisa took the hat. "I don't like milk," she said. "I'm taking every possible pill under the sun. Iron, vitamins, calcium. I don't need milk, too." She looked down at the swell of her belly beneath the loose tunic top. "He's probably already got vitaminburnout." She had done it again: Marna persistently referred to the baby in the masculine pronoun, and she had picked it up as well.

"The doctor said that milk would-"

"Oh, all right." Lisa jammed the hat on her head, then reached for the milk and drank it down chug-a-lug. Then she put the glass back on the tray. "Satisfied?"

Marna nodded. "You shouldn't be so cross. It's bad-"

"For the baby," Lisa finished wearily. "I know, Marna." She was usually more tolerant of this incessant hovering, but her nerves were on edge today. She wasn't used to Clancy being away. In the last four and a half months he hadn't stirred from the castle for more than a half day's trip to Marasef.

When Alex had called Clancy yesterday morning and summoned him to the capital, she had been as disappointed as if Clancy were going away for a month instead of only one night. That was one of the reasons she'd come up here on the battlements to sunbathe. She could see everything for miles around from this falcon's perch, and she would be sure to spot Clancy's helicopter as soon as it came over the horizon.

She supposed it was childish to be so eager. Martin had gone away for months at a time and she'd never felt this sense of loss. But then she'd never really been in love before. Sometimes it was so strong that she couldn't believe it. Now it appeared impossible that she had been afraid her love for Clancy might not last. The tenderness and passionshe felt for him now dwarfed the emotion she had known the night she'd made her decision.

She didn't know why she hadn't told him how much he meant to her. No, that wasn't true; she mustn't be dishonest with herself. She did know: she was terribly frightened. She loved him as much as she had Tommy, and Tommy had been taken from her. Every time she thought about the same thing happening to Clancy, the panic rose to terrifying proportions. She had an irrational feeling that if she didn't say the words, it would keep him safe. What the gods didn't know, they couldn't destroy. Each time she would try to tell Clancy, the panic would rise until it overwhelmed her. Heavens, she was becoming as superstitious as Marna. She would tell Clancy soon how she felt. Surely that stupid fear would disappear when she had had time to get accustomed to loving him so much.

Lisa smiled. "I'm sorry, Marna. You're right. I'm being a shrew. It's just that I wanted to go with Mr. Donahue." She held up her hand as Marna pursed her lips. "I know what the doctor said about being careful for the next month or so. I don't know why I'm having trouble with this pregnancy. My first one was as smooth as silk."

"You are older now."

She made a face. "Thanks a lot." It was true giving birth had a tendency to be a little more difficult at her age. Yet it had surprised as well as frightened her when she had almost lost the baby in the second month. She didn't feel any older than when she carried Tommy. She felt younger and vibrantly, wonderfully alive.

"Mr. Donahue was right. It was best you stayhere and rest," Marna frowned. "Though climbing up all these steps to the battlements is not rest, either."

"I'm very careful and take my time. I wouldn't do anything to risk the baby." Her hand unconsciously went to her belly. She was carrying the child squarely in the front, as she had with Tommy, and was going to be just as large. She had been feeling terribly unattractive lately, and that might have contributed to her depression when Clancy had flown into Marasef without her.

At the palace Clancy would probably run into any number of beautiful, slim women, she thought gloomily. When he came back he would probably take one look at her and make an excuse to return. Most men had a chance to appreciate their women's trim figures for some time before this change came about. She had cheated Clancy by blowing up like a balloon only a few months after he had set eyes on her. He'd never said a word about her increasing bulk, but that didn't mean anything. Clancy was always gentle and tactful with her.

A faint whirring broke her reverie and she sat up eagerly in the chair. Her hand reached up to shade her eyes, and she exclaimed with satisfaction. Mama's gaze followed hers to the helicopter just appearing on the horizon. She frowned and then slowly shook her head. "No, it's not Mr. Donahue."

"Of course it is. I recognize the helicopter." Lisa was already on her feet and hurrying toward the door that led to the stairs. "I'll go meet him in the courtyard."

"It's not…" Marna stopped. Lisa had already disappeared. She turned back to watch the approaching helicopter. A smile that held an element of fierce joy curved her lips. "Kira."

The wind stirred by the propellers of the helicopter whipped Lisa's tunic against her body as it settled on the flagstones of the courtyard. She took an eager step forward, then stopped as her heart gave a sickening lurch of disappointment. Marna was right; it wasn't Clancy piloting the helicopter. The door opened and an auburn head emerged from the cockpit.

"Hi, I'm Kira Rubinoff." The petite pilot jumped to the ground and slammed the door of the helicopter. "You must be Lisa. Sorry to barge in here without an invitation, but Clancy said it would be all right. I wanted to see Marna." She smiled engagingly. "Not that I wasn't curious about you, too. Clancy has been keeping you to himself for so long that we're all wild to meet you."

"All?"

"Lance and Alex and…" She shrugged. "Oh, just everybody. Everyone loves Clancy, and we wanted to make sure you were good enough for-" She broke off with a grimace. "Oh, Lord, there I go again. I don't know why Stefan thinks I'd ever be even a mediocre queen. With my lack of diplomacy, there's every chance I'd start World War Three."

She crossed to Lisa and held out a small, well-shaped hand. "If Clancy chose you, I'm sure you're wonderful. Please forgive me."